Isanti Soil & Water Conservation District
MPCA's Citizen Water Monitoring Program
Join more than 1,400 Minnesotans who track the health of their favorite lake or stream — become a citizen water monitor today! Citizens in every county can join the water quality movement by becoming water monitor through the MPCA’s Citizen Monitoring Programs. All equipment & training are free!
Seed Drill Rental
The Isanti SWCD rents a seed drill suitable for planting native grasses and wildflowers. Cost is $12/acre; $150 minimum within Isanti County; $250 minimum outside of Isanti County. Security deposit $161.81 at time of rental. Call Matthew Remer at 763-689-3271 to schedule.
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Serving the residents and conserving our natural resources
COVID-19 & SWCD Operations
COVID-19 Update:
In an effort to protect the health of our staff and community, the ISWCD is currently closed to the public and many staff are working from home. You can reach us by: Calling our office at: 763-689-3271. See the Contact Us page for other ways to contact staff members. We will do our best to return your message in a timely manner and look forward to working with you face-to-face in the near future!Workshops
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CLIMB Theater Presents at Green Lake Ice Fishing Contest
Watch CLIMB Theater present about the Winter Threats of Aquatic Invasive Species! This performance is interactive and fun! All ages are welcome, but the content is aimed at kids in grades K-6. This event is at the Green Lake Ice Fishing Contest arranged by the Princeton Lions. The contest will be on February 27th starting at 1:00 pm. The performance will be outdoors, so come prepared for the weather. Read More -
Nitrogen Smart Workshop: Organized by the U of M Extension
Producers, come to this in-person event to learn about maximizing economic return on nitrogen investments while minimizing nitrogen losses. This workshop will deliver high-quality, research-based education about nitrogen sources, management, losses, and more. The event will take place on March 7th. There will be a basics course in the morning and an advanced course in the afternoon. Read More -
Spectacle Lake Lakeshore Restorations: How and What
Please join us March 2nd at 7pm to learn how you can play a role in protecting the health of Spectacle Lake. You can attend this event in person at the Cambridge Library or online via Zoom. The Spectacle Lake Association along with the ISWCD are working together to promote projects that protect and improve the health of Spectacle Lake. Read More -
Agriculture Lunch and Learn
Join us to hear about opportunities available for Isanti County producers! There will be talks from the Ecosystem Market Consortium, Minnesota Agricultural Water Quality Certification Program, NRCS, and more. Lunch will be provided to all who attend! The workshop will take place March 16th. More details to come! Read More
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Thank you to the Isanti County Sportmen's Club for their $10,000 Grant Match!
Cover Crop Program
We are excited to announce our new Cover Crop Program! Cover crops have been scientifically proven to improve the health of your soil. For more information or to sign up for the program please contact Matthew Remer at mremer@isantiswcd.org or 763-689-3271.
Ecosystem Services Market Consortium
MPCA Feedlot Registration
Input is wanted as Isanti County updates their Multi-Hazard Mitigation Plan
The Beauty of Oxford Township Lakes
This video was created by the Lower St. Croix Watershed as part of their 2021 Virtual tour. You can click through the entire tour here: https://www.lsc1w1p.org/virtual-project-tour
Congratulations!
Wyanett Township Recognized for Outstanding Work in Conservation
Congratulations to the Wyanett Town Board for receiving the 2021 Isanti Soil and Water Conservation District’s Outstanding Conservationist Award! Each year the Isanti Soil and Water Conservation District (or SWCD), in partnership with our state association, the MN Association of SWCDs, recognizes an individual or organization for their outstanding accomplishments in implementing conservation practices and improving Minnesota’s natural resources. This year the Isanti SWCD board of supervisors voted unanimously to award the Wyanett Town Board as our Outstanding Conservationists. .
Lawns to Legumes Accepting Applications
Minnesota residents are eligible to apply for Lawns to Legumes cost-share funding of up to $300 to create pollinator habitat in their yards. The application period is open until Feb. 15 and applicants will be chosen in March. Applications will be chosen through a randomized drawing, though priority will be given to projects within higher priority areas.
Apply here: https://bluethumb.org/lawns-to-legumes/apply-for-lawns-to-legumes-assistance/
"Conservation is for All of Us"
Kevin Schlipp and his wife have been conservation minded for years. Therefore, when they started learning about cover crops in farmer magazines and from long time practicer Dave Medvecky (part of the Isanti SWCD board), they decided to try them. Kevin has been using cover crops for two years now, and joined the Isanti SWCD Cover Crop Program last year.
Kevin uses a cover crop mix of buckwheat, crimson clover, radish, winter peas, and some soybeans. He chose his mix using the advice of Dave and the NRCS and SWCD staff. When the buckwheat is in bloom the farm is a rolling field of flowers that attracts many bees. However, Kevin’s favorite benefit of the cover crops are not the bumbling bees on his property. Instead, he has noticed “very few weeds breaking out and coming through once the cover crop has been established.” This saves him time, money and chemicals. The weed protection of cover crops encourages Kevin to keep using them, as he says, “If I can get by with using less chemicals that is a motivating factor for me.” When Kevin was asked why cover crops and conservation was important to him, he responded immediately: “Well, conservation is for all of us.” Cover crops improve soil health and water quality which benefits both the farmer and the environment.Improving Green Lake
Green lake is going to look different in the future! The Isanti Soil and Water Conservation District is working with the Green Lake Improvement District to get Green Lake off the impaired water bodies list. This means in the future the lake will look clearer, cleaner and have more vegetation and wildlife!
One of the first steps to improving Green Lake's quality is reducing the amount of phosphorus entering the lake. The long-term goal requires close to a 2,000-pound reduction in phosphorus (the nutrient that limits the amount of algae and aquatic plants). This is a lofty goal and there is not a single source of pollution to the lake; rather, it will take a consistent and persistent effort by many landowners. Phosphorus reduction can be achieved through shoreline restorations. Other conservation projects include cover crops, invasive species management, and runoff control.
Landowners with restored shorelines don't just get the benefit of helping take their lake off impaired waterbodies list! These conservationist also have reported less shoreline erosion, beautiful wildflowers which bring in more butterflies, and more wildlife! If you live in the Green Lake area and are interested in doing a conservation project please contact us. We can help plan your project and discuss the financial assistance that's available.
Isanti SWCD Calendar
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Tuesday, 18 January 2022
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Isanti SWCD Newsletter
For the latest happening at the Isanti SCWD, please view or download our newsletter.
2020 Annual Highlights
2020 was a busy year for Isanti SWCD. Click here to read all about our most recent Conservation programs and priorities. We would like to send out a special thank you to all our Federal, State, and Local partners who support our mission to preserve, protect and enhance water quality, soil, and other natural resources in Isanti County. We’re already planning great things for 2021 including targeted agricultural outreach, lakeshore restorations on Green Lake, and conservation planning in the Lower St. Croix Watershed.
KBEK Radio Interview
One of our conservation technicians got to speak with KBEK about their work. Todd Kulaf discussed the Isanti SWCD and his conservation project at Spectacle Lake. Thank you to KBEK for talking to us! If you missed it you can listen to it here.
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Oak wilt, caused by the non-native fungus Ceratocystis fagacearum, is responsible for killing large numbers of oak trees annually in Minnesota. Oak Wilt is most severe in red oak group species such as Northern Red Oak and Northern Pin Oak. The Isanti County Parks Department has put together this brochure as a guide for managing Oak wilt: Oak Wilt in Isanti County To learn more and see good photos of diseased trees, you can also visit the U of M Residents can call the SWCD and the Isanti County Parks Department for names of contractors who can help with trees and root trenching on your property.The Isanti SWCD rents a seed drill suitable for planting native grasses and wildflowers. Cost is $12/acre. Rental must be within 20 miles of the City of Isanti. Rental has a $150 minimum fee within Isanti County. Rental minimum outside of Isanti county is $250. A $161.81 damage deposit is required at the time of rental. For safety reasons, we ask that you don't drive over 20 mph while towing the seeder. Call Matthew Remer at 763-689-3271 to schedule.
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The Isanti SWCD can help you with conservation efforts on your property with guidance and financial assistance.We are here for your questions and to help.Enhance your property with trees that are especially suited to your property. Container, bare root and seedlings are all available through the Isanti SWCD. The Isanti SWCD tree sale is now open for all your landscaping and conservation needs.
